Table Tennis club gets cash lifeline

Ian Topping presents members of Garstang Table Tennis Club with new sponsored shirts

Published:12:34Wednesday 28 September 2011

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THANKS to help from three local businesses the future is looking considerably brighter for Garstang Table Tennis Club. At the end of December, due to government cutbacks, all funding for the club was withdrawn leaving the club unable to afford any new equipment or new shirts.

Chairman Graham Coupe set about approaching a number of local businesses asking if they could help.

“To be honest in the current economic climate I wasn’t expecting to achieve much success but thought it was worth giving it a go, I’m really glad I did, the response was fantastic” said Graham.

Ian Topping, Managing Director at the Barton Grange Hotel agreed to fund new shirts for the players in exchange for advertising on the front, and after much hard work, getting all the players’ sizes, ordering the shirts and getting them printed, they finally arrived.

Ian was on-hand when the shirts arrived to meet all the excited junior players and give them their new kit, plus have a few matches of course!

Two other companies, Partwell.com and FortVale.com have also contributed to the club to help set-up a talented athletes fund, this fund helps the junior players at the club with the costs of travelling and entering tournaments.

On the competition front, Sunday saw Rebecca Hodgson in action in Manchester at the first of a series of Stiga 2* Tournaments, Rebecca had a great day finishing second in the girls and achieving a great victory over Lancashire No.1 girl Beth Farnworth along the way.

Meanwhile in the Lancaster league all the teams were in cup action, Garstang A had an excellent 7-2 win over Ripley Barbarians, Rebecca Hodgson won all 3, Rebecca McGrath and brother Luke won 2 each. They now face a tough match against last year’s champions Trimpell.

Garstang D had a good win over St Lukes D, unfortunately the other two Garstang teams lost out, Garstang C had an early exit to Ripley Cyclones whilst Garstang B lost out to Morecambe High School who now face Garstang D in the next round.

In the Preston league Garstang A had another good result beating GRYF A 6-4, Martin Wyatt was again undefeated and won all 3, as per last week Graham Coupe chipped in with two wins and the duo won the doubles.

Garstang B were on the end of a 9-1 defeat fro Astra A last years runners-up, however the 9-1 scoreline was a little harsh as three of the matches went to 5 ends and could have gone either way. Ashley Bradburn claimed the only point with a good victory over Paul Robinson.

For more information on the club visit the website at www.garstangtt.co.uk

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